Stream of consciousness writing

[AlexBell]

Full disclosure: I am not an author; in fact I doubt that I could write a story to save my life. But I do read this forum regularly to get an idea how authors work to help with with my interest in preparing ebooks for authors.

One of the authors I'm working with uses what she calls 'stream of consciousness' writing from time to time in her novel. I think this means times when the reader of her novel is to be made aware of the protagonist's thoughts.

My questions are:
- Is there a standard way in which these sections should be formatted to distinguish them from discussion or talking out loud or ordinary speech? If so, what is this way? The author just wants me to make the paragraphs containing 'stream of consciousness' speech flush left rather than indented, and I don't think this is working. I don't think this enough.
- Can anyone refer me to a book (preferably Public Domain) which has a fair amount of 'stream of consciousness' writing so I can see how other authors and ebook designers have done it? I vaguely remember that Ulysses by James Joyce is said to have 'stream of consciousness' writing; would this be a good example?

[HarryT]

Alex,

The classic example - in fact the author who invented it - is Jane Austen. Take a look at any of her novels to see how it's done - and done brilliantly.

[HarryT]

Here's an example taken at random from "Emma":

"Well," said she to herself, "this is most strange!—After I had got him off so well, to chuse to go into company, and leave Harriet ill behind!—Most strange indeed!—But there is, I believe, in many men, especially single men, such an inclination—such a passion for dining out—a dinner engagement is so high in the class of their pleasures, their employments, their dignities, almost their duties, that any thing gives way to it—and this must be the case with Mr. Elton; a most valuable, amiable, pleasing young man undoubtedly, and very much in love with Harriet; but still, he cannot refuse an invitation, he must dine out wherever he is asked. What a strange thing love is! he can see ready wit in Harriet, but will not dine alone for her."

As you see, it's formatted like any other passage of dialogue would be.

[AlexBell]

Thanks, Harry. That makes a lot of sense to me.

Whether the author I'm working with will agree is a different matter.

[Dr. Drib]

One of the most famous examples of stream of consciousness is in Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury."

Another notable example is in Virginia Woolfe's "Mrs. Dalloway."

Regarding an example of this method in genre fiction (sci-fi), you might wish to look at Delany's "Dhalgren."

Without trying to lecture, one must ask, "Is there a reason to have a section (or the whole piece), reflect storytelling that utilizes this narrative technique?"

Happy pecking. (If you're not a touch typist.)



Don

[AlexBell]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

One of the most famous examples of stream of consciousness is in Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury."

Another notable example is in Virginia Woolfe's "Mrs. Dalloway."

Regarding an example of this method in genre fiction (sci-fi), you might wish to look at Delany's "Dhalgren."

Without trying to lecture, one must ask, "Is there a reason to have a section (or the whole piece), reflect storytelling that utilizes this narrative technique?"

Happy pecking. (If you're not a touch typist.)



Don

Thanks, Don, that's most helpful. I'll see if I can find either or both of those books in the MR library.

With regard to your question: I think we may be looking at two different questions
- So far as the author is concerned - I have no idea why she wants to use this technique
- So far as I am concerned - I'm not her editor, I'm merely the ebook designer. I see it as my job to do the best I can to meet the author's wishes.